Colorado, United States — Events
Greeley Stampede
The Greeley Stampede is the ‘World’s Largest 4th of July Rodeo and Western Celebration!,’ as they emphatically claim. The festivities include a fantastic fireworks display, live music and art, and of course some crazy rodeo that attracts hundreds of thousands to share in the Independence Day celebrations.
National Western Stock Show
It may be the world’s largest cattle show, but you are just as likely to see llamas on display and find out who is the fastest sheep-shearer if you visit the National Western Stock Show. It’s Denver’s most popular event that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The show, with its attendant animal displays, auctions and contests, also features a renowned rodeo.
Winter X Games
There is little is that is not absolutely exhilarating about Winter’s greatest extreme sports extravaganza. Competitors from all around the world participate in a variety of death-defying events that wow the tens of thousands of gawking spectators each year. The X Games are one of the highlights of the winter season in Colorado and it is simply amazing to witness the limits being pushed in snowboarding, skiing and snow-mobiling, which for most amateurs is simply a bit of fun.
Denver March Pow Wow
Hundreds of Native American dancers and musicians from 70 or more tribes gather at this annual event to compete and demonstrate their talents for delighted spectators, Indian and non-Indian alike. Besides the dancing and drumming, there is plenty of authentic Native American food to sample, and numerous arts and crafts stalls to browse.
Sunsation, Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain hosts the annual Sunsation event featuring free live music performed by American artists, as well as breathtaking snow-scapes, good food and a festive atmosphere. Past Sunsation artists have included Michael Franti, the Dark Star Orchestra, Quiet Riot and the PFunk Allstars. Visitors can pull on their snow boots, wrap up warm and enjoy the great entertainment!
CHUN Capitol Hill People's Fair
For more than 30 years Denver has traditionally heralded summer in fine style with a buzzing and crowded neighborhood fair organized by Capital Hill United Neighbourhoods. Civic Center Park is transformed into a funland filled with several stages featuring continuous performances, along with hundreds of art and craft stalls and a food bazaar.
Breckenridge Festival of Film
Enjoy the Breckenridge Festival of Film’s wonderful line-up in the Rockies each year, the worlds highest film festival! Features of this event include new film releases, dinners, cocktails parties and wine evenings, not to mention the enticing silent auction. Recent film viewings have included those of Kung Fu Panda, Miracle Mile, Left-handed and 6 Minutes.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
The Colorado Dragon Boat Racing Association hosts this annual festival which features cultural demonstrations focusing on the Asian community, local hip-hop culture and of course plenty of racing in the colorful dragon boats. The sport is being heavily promoted by the association to make it a year round activity.
The Great American Beer Festival
The statistics involved in this, the world’s biggest gathering of varieties of the brown brew under one roof, are mind-boggling, but all go to prove that it is worth traveling to Denver in September! More than 330 breweries are represented and there are close on 1,500 brands of beer on offer on the festival floor. The accompanying brewers’ competition draws around 2,000 entries. The beer is accompanied by some great American blues and food.
